Catholics Observe Regulations of Lent

Because Lent is a time of repentance and conversion, there are certain regulations we must observe.

1.  Abstinence from Meat:  Catholics 14 years of age or older must abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent unless dispensed.

2.      Fasting:  Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 (inclusive) are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Fasting means that you eat only one full meal and no more than two small meals with no food between meals on those days.

For those unable to fast, some other suitable act of penitence should be substituted on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  Other days of Lent are not fast days but self-imposed times of fasting or abstinence are recommended.

3.      Catholics who have received their first Holy Communion are required to make a worthy reception of Holy Communion at least once during the year.  In the United States, this reception of Holy Communion may take place from the First Sunday of Lent through Trinity Sunday (June 11th this year).